Businesses urged to support Purple Tuesday

Businesses are being encouraged to take part in a special day to make shopping more inclusive and accessible for customers with a disability.

Purple Tuesday, on Tuesday, November 13, is being promoted by Sarah Newton MP, Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work.

She said: "The aim is to enable and encourage retailers across the country, and online, to introduce new measures to make the shopping experience more inclusive and accessible for disabled customers. The initiative is being co-ordinated by the disability organisation Purple and has been endorsed by the Government."We have already received pledges of support from leading brands including Argos, Asda, Sainsbury's, Barclays, the British Retail Consortium, Contacta and Marks & Spencer. Owners of some of the UK's busiest shopping destinations such as Bluewater in Essex, Birmingham Bullring and Drake Circus shopping centre in Plymouth will also be part of the day.

"Why do we need a Purple Tuesday? We know that some disabled shoppers can be worried by overcrowding in shops, and they will walk away from a shop that is not accessible, or the customer service is poor.

"We need to improve the disabled customer experience, not only because it is the right thing to do but because there is a commercial reason for making sure that shops, restaurants, pubs and clubs are inclusive and accessible. Estimates put the spending power of disabled people and their families (the 'Purple Pound') at £249bn.

"Disabled people are vital contributors to the economy and businesses need to understand that they don't just lose the custom of the disabled person if don't cater for disabled customers. They will also lose their families and their friends as well. Can any high street afford to ignore the purple pound?"